Is watching algae separate a little like watching grass grow?

Lee_Teschler — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:00:00 GMT

Readers of Machine Design might recall one of our recent articles in which we described a new way of automating the process of getting oil out of algae for use in biofuels. OriginOil, the folks who came up with this process, have put out a new video that actually shows the algae oil separating from the biomass. You can watch it here:

http://www.originoil.com/

For readers who didn't read our original article, what you see in the video is a result of OriginOil's microwave-based separation process. In a nutshell, they put the oil-bearing algae in what amounts to a special microwave oven to crack it open and release the oil. Separating the oil this way is much more energy efficient than doing so mechanically with presses and so forth. You can find more details in our original article:

http://machinedesign.com/article/algae-automation-0303

more bad news for corn-based ethanol

Lee_Teschler — Thu, 29 May 2008 14:06:00 GMT

There has been yet another study that has concluded that corn-based ethanol is bad news from a variety of angles. To quote the summary,

The study looked at factors such as the energy needed to produce a renewable fuel source compared with how much energy is produced, the impact on soil fertility and effects on food supply when fuels based on crops such as corn and soybeans are mixed with fossil fuels. Based on those factors, the authors determined that corn-based ethanol is the worst alternative overall.

The authors, research biologists, think that cellulosic and algea-based ethanol would be better, but their technologies really aren't developed yet. Here is the link to the full press release:

http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/541144/?sc=swtr

from the editor's desk : biofuels

Is watching algae separate a little like watching grass grow?

more bad news for corn-based ethanol